MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Combined Army and police operatives arrested in Mamasapano town here Tuesday night a suspected ordnance expert wanted for the spate of bombings in Central Mindanao in recent years.
Abi Salman, also known as Sauman Usma, was cornered at his hideout in Barangay Tuka.
The suspect tried to escape, but was shot in the leg by one of the operatives.
Salman, who has a P1.3 million bounty on his head, has alleged links with the Jemaah Islamiyah.
Salman’s arrest was based on a warrant issued by Judge Rogelio Narisma of the Regional Trial Court Branch 23 in Kidapawan City.
Local officials said Salman is a relative of foreign-trained bomber Basit Usman.
Chief Superintendent Noel delos Santos, police director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said Salman would be airlifted to Manila so he could be detained at the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police.